ijtema Clash: Zubair faction announces indefinite sit-in

A faction of the Tablighi Jamaat loyal to Maulana Zubair Ahmad has announced an indefinite sit-in starting tomorrow morning in Kakrail, demanding a state ban on Maulana Saad Kandhalvi and his followers.

Identifying themselves as "Shura-e-Nizam," the Zubair faction declared that no activities by the Saad faction would be allowed at the Tongi World Ijtema ground or the Tablighi Jamaat's Kakrail Mosque. 

At a press conference held at the Kakrail Mosque yesterday, Kefaetullah Azhari, principal of Jamiyatul Manhalul Qawmiya Madrasa, read a statement calling for a state ban on the Saad faction. He demanded the arrest of those allegedly involved in the December 17 attack in Tongi, which left three dead and many injured. 

"The culprits must be apprehended within 24 hours, and law enforcement agencies' role during the attack remains questionable," Azhari said. 

He also demanded that Tablighi activities at Kakrail Mosque and the Tongi Ijtema ground be conducted under the Shura-e-Nizam's supervision. 

The sit-in, set to begin at 9:00am Thursday, will be peaceful, avoiding road blockages, Azhari assured. 

The faction blamed the Saad group for the December 17 clash over control of the Tongi ground, which resulted in violent confrontations between the two groups. 

Tablighi Jamaat leaders, including Shahriar Mahmud and Maulana Zubair Ahmad, were present at the press conference.